Forest is right Ron, I didn't get the impression he was pro-union, just pro-license. Plumbing licenses have been around longer than sprinkler licenses. I'm sorry to say and not to offend anyone but I've always considered sprinkler systems to be plumbing system. We're just specialists. Sprinklers have always been a akin to plumbing and I think always will be. I'm afraid to say if multi-purpose really advances in 1 and 2 family work, we're going to have to align ourselves or branch out. I do a fair amount of small 13D work. I'm seeing "green" technologies coming into play more and more. I'm seeing individual tankless heaters now instead of central heating, rainwater and greywater systems, groundwater heat pumps, more use of radiant, etc. The reason I say this is I see more (not less) trades on the job and less (I think) inclination to go multi-purpose, if it was an option. Multi-purpose is tough around these parts (pahts) because a lot of purveyors aren't allowing combination services and we have strict licensing laws mostly due to a strong union presence.
Tom I'm not saying be pro-union. I'm saying pro-license. Plumbers have it to their advantage. A friend of mine was fined $ 2,000 a few years ago for installing a backflow on a sprinkler system! It required a lucensed plumber. Otherwise what steve said will come to pass: plumbers will control the residential market. Well Forest I respect everybody's right to have their opinion and I have agreed with you many times on this forum but on this one my answer would not be no; but HELL NO. Don't have time to defend my opinion right now but will be glad to engage later. I don't know your age or history but there are many of us who have been there and done that and have no interest in going down that road. It is one of those things that from the "outside" seems like a good idea but in reality would be a disaster. The problem is that many people believe that this would be a fair and equitable process but the truth is that there is nothing fair or equitable about it. Sound like a conspirator? Take a look at what we call the "card Check". What do they call it? Employee Free Choice Act. That's real cute. The right to take away the employees free choice is more like it. Reminds me of the "stimulus" bill. Rod DiBona And that is why the industry should join the unions in supporting sprinklerfitting licensing for installers. Forest Wilson _______________________________________________ Sprinklerforum mailing list http://lists.firesprinkler.org/mailman/listinfo/sprinklerforum For Technical Assistance, send an email to: [email protected] To Unsubscribe, send an email to:[email protected] (Put the word unsubscribe in the subject field)
